Thursday, December 29, 2011

It may seem early, but Valentine's Day is just six weeks away, so it's time to start shopping for your card-making supplies. There is a great selection of designer paper, rub-ons, ribbon, and punches perfect for Valentine's Day in the Clearance Rack. Click here to shop for deals -- up to 80% off original price!

This Valentine card was one of our Stamp Club projects. We used the Holly Berry Bouquet paper from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Make sure to order before January 3rd, when the catalog ends. This is technically "Christmas" paper, but many of the patterns are holiday neutral and the red glitter stripes (on this card) and polka dots are perfect for Valentine's Day!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I was hoping to get a tutorial together before I shared this card, but that didn't happen and Christmas is now over, so I better post the card. I will still make the tutorial and will do a Valentine's version of it. My goal is this week, so stay tuned for the instructions!

This is the inside of the card. Much more exciting than the clean and simple front:

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

I'm back!!! Did you miss me? So sorry for my blog silence the last couple weeks. Life got kind of crazy and posting my projects just got pushed to the bottom of the list. I have lots to share and am ready to get back to regular posting, so don't give up on me! I'm very excited to use my new Christmas gift from my hubby -- a mini photo studio to take photos of my projects! I prefer natural light and with the sun going down so early, I just haven't been able to get great photos. Now I'll be able to take photos when I have the most time -- which is usually after the kids go to bed!

Here's a project we made last week in Stamp Club. We took 1/2" x 6" pieces of the Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Paper and wrapped it around a pen. We pulled the curls apart to stretch them out and put them inside a glass ornament. (The Chocolate Chip cardstock ring at the bottom is just for keeping the ornament upright.)

Don't miss the tag! It looks pretty simple using the Pines & Poinsettias stamp set, but the best part is the colored Rhinestones. Yep -- COLORED rhinestones! Nope, it's not a sneak peek product. I used the Basic Rhinestone Jewel Accents and colored them with a permanent marker! Just think of the possibilities!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

This has got to be a first! Stampin' Up! announced today that the Stocking Builder Punch in the Holiday Mini Catalog will NOT be carried over to the new Idea Book & Catalog in July. I had assumed that it would since all punches previously in a mini catalog were kept, but that is NOT the case this time!

I held out for several months and was not going to get this stamp set and punch and then I caved. It's really darling and has so many uses that I have no even had a chance to touch on yet. Here are a couple projects I've posted using the stamp set and punch. (Click each photo to view the original post with project details.)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

It's time to rewind! I looked over my posts from last fall and choose my top 5 favorite projects to share with you again. Click on each photo for more details about the project. Click here to see all my December 2010 blog posts.

Oh my stars and hearts! The one morning I don't get online until 11:00 am and look what I missed! Starting TODAY until January 5th, while supplies last -- Stampin' Up! has added over 200 items to the Clearance Rack section of my Online Store. HUGE discounts up to 80% off some of your favorite discontinued products. Check it out and stock up now -- these items are ONLY available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! Click here to Shop Now.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

At our group meeting last week, we decorated the Kraft Gift Boxes with the new Twitterpated Designer Fabric from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog and a gift tag using the new Framelits and Bordering on Romance stamp set. A little Twitterpated Designer Button was the perfect final embellishment on this clean and simple package.

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? I'm almost done with mine and have been tempted to do a little shopping for ME now.

If you're ready to do a little shopping for yourself too, you'll love this special offer! Because I'm registered to attend the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference in January, I can offer you a special discount on the new Demonstrator Starter Kit.

For 2 DAYS ONLY (December 13-14) you can purchase the "I Want It All Kit", aka the Demonstrator Starter Kit, for only $125. That's $50 off the regular price, for a total of 60+% off catalog prices! Plus you get FREE shipping on your kit, and you can customize your kit selections. Click here to learn more.

But wait, there's MORE!

You'll also get FREE Designer Series Paper EVERY month of 2012 (ask me for complete details)

You can pre-order from the Occasions Mini Catalog right now!

AND you'll get FREE Sale-A-Bration sets for every $50 you spend on your Occasions Mini Preorder!

Talk about a Merry Christmas!! Learn more about becoming a demonstrator here or contact me if you have any questions!

I hope Santa brings you everything you want this Christmas. And if he needs a little help, make sure to give him my phone number! (wink!)

I have updated my list of retired stamp sets for sale! And when you shop my Virtual Rubber Rummage Sale before December 31st, you'll

Save 20% Off Retail Prices

Get FREE SHIPPING on your entire purchase (or local delivery)

Get a FREE Ribbon Sampler (10 yards) when you spend $35

Get a FREE 6x6 Designer Paper Sampler (100 sheets) when you spend $75

View the stamps in my Virtual Rubber Rummage Sale here and then email me at julie@the-davisons.com with your selections and I'll send you a Paypal invoice. Shop early for the best selection. I'll do my best to update the album as stamps are sold.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Thanks to everyone who placed a Stampin' Up! order with me in November! I drew one winner from all of the online and email orders and Kim Kasanic from Farmington Hills is the lucky stamper to win the Holiday Happiness stamp set! Congratulations, Kim!

It's a new month, and time for a new free stamp set giveaway! Each month, I will give away a free stamp set. To be eligible for the drawing, all you have to do it place an online order (email orders count too!) that is not part of a club or workshop.You'll get one entry for each order that you place with me between December 1-31. I'll draw a winner on January 1st. This month's stamp set is Tagtastic. You can also earn this stamp set for free when you host a party or place an order over $150!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Don't you just hate it when you see a really great project and then just HAVE to order the product used to make it? For me and my fellow demonstrators who attended the Louisville Regional Seminar in October, that was definitely the case with the Petite Pocket die. Bonnie Thurber from the home office showed us some amazing projects using this die. Click here to view a simple Christmas treat pocket and click here to see the Blushing Bride mini pocket album.

The biggest wow for me was this little box. Can you believe THIS box came from the Petite Pocket die!? Well, it did! Follow the instructions in my free step-by-step photo tutorial to learn how to make this box yourself.

Friday, December 9, 2011

I'm feeling productive today! I finally hired some help! I was just too overwhelmed and too behind on so many things. I'm embarrassed to admit that I am two months behind on thank you notes, three months behind on birthday cards and my office is a complete disaster (remember, I still owe you pictures of my makeover!) All of that is going to change! My new year is starting NOW!

And to add to the productiveness...I also finished designing our family Christmas card using My Digital Studio. I just uploaded and ordered them. Check! Now on to the rest of my to do list...

(Front)

(Inside Top and Bottom)

The gorgeous photographs were taken by Christa Donald. We had a session with her back in October and she was amazing. She was so great with the kids and made us all feel so relaxed and comfortable. I highly recommend her services if you are looking for a photographer in East Central Illinois. Click here to visit her website.Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

I'm not sure if it's just me or the time of year, but I'm feeling so overwhelmed this month! I'm behind and just can't catch up! Sorry I've been kind of slacking on posting every day! I hope I'm making up for it by sharing some sneak peek projects! I have a couple tutorials in the making too, so I promise there is good stuff to come! Here's one from our group meeting on Tuesday night. We used the new Mouthwatering stamp set from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog with SCENTED cherry embossing powder on the cherry!!

Notice anything else new? I used the new Labels Collection Framelits and Adorning Accents Embossing Folder.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Since 2005, Stampin' Up! has generously participated in the TODAY Show's Holiday Toy Drive. This year, Stampin' Up! will be donating over $500,000 worth of stamping and paper crafting products, including the new Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps.

In conjunction with the donation, Stampin' Up!'s Shelli Gardner made an appearance on NBC's TODAY Show today, Tuesday, December 6. I am so honored and so excited to be involved with Stampin' Up! who participates in this annual holiday tradition of giving back and making a difference!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

This gift card holder was inspired by one that my friend Robin Armbrecht designed for our group meeting last month. I loved Robin's version with red and green and holly, but I didn't have the same products, so I changed things up and created this Marina Mist & Crumb Cake version.

The tag, cut from the Two Tags die on the Big Shot) fits perfectly inside the cardstock sleeve and holds a gift card! The cardstock sleeve is 4-1/4" x 6-1/8" Crumb Cake cardstock. Score on the long end at 1-5/8" and 4-1/2" and then use Sticky Strip to glue it together, leaving one end open.

Want to give the perfect gift to your favorite crafter? Contact me to purchase a Stampin' Up! gift certificate in any domination.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Here's another yummy sneak peek from the 2012 Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog! I just love the new framelits and edgelits! I've used both here for this Bordering on Romance card.

To get the smaller Riding Hood Red border around the frame, I cut one the same size and it it in half, then glued it to the back of the white one so that a little bit was showing on either side. (Cutting the next size up created a bigger layer than I wanted for this card.)

I am also loving the Dazzling Details Glitter Glue. I've been using it on everything this past month. I just can't get enough! It needs a little while to dry, but it's a cleaner application than the 2-way glue and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Check it out in my Online Store here.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Demonstrator Pre-order for the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog started yesterday and I paid a little extra to have my order sent overnight so that I could design projects for our group meeting on Tuesday. Things have been so hectic the last two weeks and I haven't posted much, but I was determined to use my new stuff to make a card today. What do you think!? Can you spot all of the new stuff?

Sorry for teasing you - if you're not a demonstrator, you won't be able to order from the Occasions Mini Catalog until January 4th. Want to join the fun? I can help you with that! (wink!) Click here for details about our amazing Starter Kit. Sign up online and you can place your first order as a demonstrator immediately! Plus you'll get 30% off your first order over $150 (within 45 days of joining)!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

The holiday weekend is coming to an end. I had hoped to post more, but instead, I was enjoying time with my extended family! Though I was not blogging, you all were not far from my thoughts. I am so thankful for all my Stampin' Friends! I thought the sentiment on this card was perfect for my post tonight: "You're in my thoughts; you're in my heart".I didn't have as much time as I had hoped to stamp this weekend, so the card I am sharing was created by Stampin' Up!. I just ordered the "I {heart} Hearts" stamp set and can't wait to CASE this card! Do you have this set yet? I know it's kind of early to think about Valentine's Day, but don't wait to get the I {heart} Hearts stamp set because it's 40% off right NOW until November 30th! Click here to see it in my Online Store: Clear Mount | Wood Mount

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

One of the giveaways at the Louisville Regional Seminar was a project kit to create this mini album using the Petite Pocket die. The sample they shared with us used a different stamp set, but that didn't stop me! I used what I had to finish the project. It's it cute!?

Cut and assemble three pockets and then cut 1/2" off one and 1" off another. I used the 2-1/2" Circle Punch to create a new notch in the front of the pocket. Stack the pockets and use the Crop-a-Dile to punch through all three and tie the ribbon.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I wasn't going to make one of these, but after seeing one on Stampin' Connection byLorie Hitzhusen , I decided I would squeeze in a class before the Christmas Countdown begins on December 1st. So if you're in Central Illinois, join me after Thanksgiving to make your own calendar! Can't come? Ask me about doing the class "to go"!

The calendar base is a mini muffin pan, so behind each number is a space for a treat or note. Keep for yourself or give as a gift. The class fee is $20. Please bring your own adhesive and scissors.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Third times a charm! I finally got a good picture of this card to share with you! This was one of our Stamp Club projects last month. The card layout is CASEd from the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog. The inspiration was this Batty for You card on page 26. We used the new Simply Scored Tool to make the lolly...medallion...rosette...whatever you want to call it. The plaid Designer Series Paper is from the Domestic Goddess series. I've been calling this a "sleeper" DSP because I think people kind of write it off because of the domestic imagery, but the patterns on the other side are so bright and cheerful and relatively neutral for other themes. Check it out in my Online Store here.

This is my personal blog. The content contained on this blog and in the classes, products, and services that I offer is my sole responsibility as an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!